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Monday, July 22, 2013

Shabby Chic White Hall Cupboard and my mum

Good afternoon and what a beautiful afternoon it is, It feels like Spring even though there is a chill in the breeze, but the sky is so blue today in Sydney and these daffodils are so colourful and bright, making our bedroom all beautiful especially with the sunshine streaming in.

We had a lovely weekend, lots of time as a family together, going for walks and mooching around, friends popping in for coffee and others coming over on Saturday for dinner. I wandered up to Rozelle markets yesterday and found this lovely cast iron bird bell for $10. I'd gone without my wallet, yes I know crazy, what was I thinking, but the lady said she'd mind it for me so I raced home and back and am now very happy to have this. I love a thrifty find.

I finished a lovely hall cabinet on the weekend. It's painted in Annie Sloan Pure White with lots of distressing for a country shabby chic look. It's a heavy piece and very well made. The shape is gorgeous and I added some mouldings to the backing board for extra interest.

It originally had bright brass handles that I really didn't like so I bought these lovely nickel handles and knobs for it. I think they look beautiful. I did have to buy new screws though and the screws that came with the handles were so nasty. I spent an hour trying to put on the two handles and kept stripping the flat head screws. In the end I went and bought some good quality screws and it took just minutes to get the handles on. What a waste of time.

This piece offers wonderful storage with two drawers and two shelves inside the cupboard. The dimensions are 110cm wide, 48cm deep and 86cm from floor to bench top. The backing board is another 23-24cm on top of the bench top.

and of course I had my trusty photo-bombing dogby my side. He thinks he's very photogenic! Our friends have just bought Charlie's younger brother and will be bringing him home in about a month. We are all very excited especially as about a month after they get him, they are going away for a few weeks and we will be minding him. I am not sure what Charlie will think of a puppy in the house but I certainly will be happy.

I've just had lunch and a catch up with my sister as it's a year since our mum died today. It certainly doesn't seem a year has passed. I still have several voice messages from her on our home phone and I'm going to have to work out how to record them onto a safer medium. I love still being able to hear her voice occasionally. Bit weird I know. I also haven't been able to delete her number from my phone's "favourites". Her phone of course has been disconnected for ages but deleting her number just seems all too final. Gosh it all sounds morbid and as though I'm wallowing. Really I've been good but it's just hard to let go of a few things. Perhaps this coming year. Anyway time to walk up to school and get the kids. A nice afternoon for the park I think.Fiona xx

I know what you mean about your mum - every now and then I have to put a dvd of dad on and just watch him and listen to him =( I love the little bird bell - perfect partnership with your other little birds. Beautifully restored cupboard too. (Wish you lived closer - I'd been buying you out of house and home!!!).

Hi Fiona ,that is a lovely cupboard. I love the moulding. Where do you get your mouldings from? I have googled a couple of places but I really like the ones you have put on that back board. I know how you feel about your mum : both my parents have died but my dad passed away first, so taking his name off things was hard, it felt like mum and I were wiping him off the face of the earth. Dad has been gone since 1988 but I still hate the feeling. Thank God for memories- they can never be erased. Today is a very sad day for you and I feel for you. I hope you don't mind me saying that for us its a happy day. Our first grandchild - Miette - was born on this day 6 years ago. Where have all the years gone. It only feels like yesterday that I gave birth to her dad. I love the bird bell - what a bargain. You seem to have a knack in finding unusual things.Lots of Love Brenda

Hi Fiona what a sad day for you I cant believe it has been a year.I am the same with my best friends phone number she committed sudicde 7 years ago and I cant get rid of her numbers out of my phone and even when I rewrite my address book I still write her address in it.I am thinking of you and your family.The cupboard is beautiful but then again I wouldn't expect any thing else from you-love dee x

Such a gorgeous piece...the handles and extras were a perfect choice. I'm so sorry you lost your mum, I lost mine to cancer in September. Her birthday is tomorrow :( Isn't it strange how life just moves on....and how final death is. The whole experience has rewired my brain and shifted my paradigm. I still wake some mornings and have to 'get comfy' once again with the knowledge that Mama isn't here anymore.

Fiona the piece is absolutely wonderful. You did an awesome job. This is such a wonderful and inspiring post. I would love it if you would share this post at our WIW linky party. Hope you can join us today!

I know it's been a hard year, but I hope you and your sister were able to reflect on the good times you had with your mum.